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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPACKET Town Board Study Session 2013-02-26* Revised NOTE: The Town Board reserves the right to consider other appropriate items not available at the time the agenda was prepared. STUDY SESSION TOWN BOARD Tuesday, February 26, 2013 4:30 p.m. Board Room 170 MacGregor Ave. AGENDA 4:30 p.m. Future Study Session Agenda Items. 4:40 p.m. Downtown Colorado, Inc. / EVPC Economic Development Presentation 6:10 p.m. Break for Dinner. To: Honorable Mayor Pinkham Board of Trustees Town Administrator Lancaster From: Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk Date: February 22, 2013 RE: Future Town Board Study Session Items March 12, 2013 Policy Governance III – Staff Limitations – Part 2 Economic Development (Town’s Role & Task Force Update) March 26, 2013 Policy Governance II – Board/Staff Linkage – Part 1 Revision to Stanley Historic District Agreement April 9, 2013 Policy Governance II – Board/Staff Linkage – Part 2 Town Administrator Evaluation Process April 23, 2013 Strategic Initiatives – Review of Citizen Engagement Other Items Not Currently Scheduled for Town Board Study Sessions • Support for Highland Festival • Capital Planning and Management • Mayor’s Contingency Fund • Process for adding Agenda Items to Town Board Meeting Agendas Town Clerk’s Office Memo Downtown Colorado, Inc.Downtown Colorado, Inc.Estes Park Downtown AssessmentFebruary 25-26, 2013Estes ParkFebruary 2526, 2013 Downtown Colorado, Inc.BUILDINGBETTERCOMMUNITIESBYPROVIDINGASSISTANCETODOWNTOWNSBUILDING BETTER COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO DOWNTOWNS, COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS & TOWN CENTERS IN COLORADO THROUGH EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, INFORMATION & COLLABORATIONMembershipEducationTech AssistanceAdvocacy & InformationCurrent EventsLegislationRf l20 Events:Annual ConferenceI FDowntown Assessments, Facilitated & Panel ReferralsResearchJob AnnouncementsIssue ForumsDowntown InstituteFacilitated & Panel Discussions, Community Activation, and moreand moreEstes Park Why Downtown?Estes Park Team MembersTroy Bernburg, Stifel NicolausKatherine Correll, Downtown Colorado, Inc.Mi h lHNltVtilFiMichael Hussey, Nolte Vertical FiveMichael King, Downtown Colorado, Inc. Carrie McCool, McCool Development Solutions,pBasil Ryer, Golden Urban Renewal AuthorityMike Scholl, City of LovelandZach Tyler, APAIsabel Waldman, Downtown Colorado, Inc.Estes Park Thank you participants!•Association for Responsible •EstesParkFireDistrictpDevelopment•EALA•EagleRockSchoolEstes Park Fire District•Estes Valley Library•Estes Valley Planning Commission•EstesValleyRecreationParkDistrictEagle Rock School•EMPC•EPIChlEstes Valley Recreation Park District•EVFPD•EVPC•GoodSamaritan•EPTV Channel 18•Estes Park Condos•Estes Park Medical Center•Good Samaritan•Mayor of Estes Park•Park Hospital District•PoliceDept•Estes Park Resort•Estes Park Sanitation District•EstesParkSchoolDistrict•Police Dept.•Representative of U.S Senator Bennett•Restaurant Group•RockyMountainNationalParkEstes Park School District•Rocky Mountain National ParkEstes Park Thank you participants!•SimplicityOrganizing•Simplicity Organizing•Spruce House Inc•Stanley Hotel•Stanley Village•Town Board•Town of Estes Park•Town Trustees•Trail Gazette•UpperThompsonSanitationUpper Thompson Sanitation•Visit Estes Park•Wishes FulfilledEstes Park FortuneCookieLessonFortune Cookie LessonLet your intentions inform Let your intentions inform your actions and not the yreverse.Estes Park Estes Park Getting DirectionThis is our opportunity area!Estes Park VisionMarketVisionMarketECONOMIC/PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENTSECONOMIC/ BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTMARKETING/ COMMUNICATIONSHOW DO WE FUND IT?Estes Park Focus Group Observations•People feel that Estes Park is in a strong •There are lots of concerts and events in the position compared to other mountain towns, but is faced with increasing competition.•The community has identified many opportunitiesbutlackstheorganizationsummer.•The individual interests of shop owners, business association, and municipal departmentshavesometimesoverwhelmedopportunities but lacks the organization necessary to capitalize on them.•There is not currently a year‐round economy.•Thetownhaspotentialtobeameccafordepartments have sometimes overwhelmed their commonalities.•Natural and community assets could be utilized to attract knowledge workers and The town has potential to be a mecca for  athletes of all ages.•There is a perception that the town is walkable but also unsafe for biking in the gtheir businesses to the town. •People sense that there is no single driving force behind development.summer.•There was very little participation from downtown retailers.•The town lacks a unified vision of what it wants to be in the future.Estes Park FocusGroupObservationsFocus Group Observations“dbddii”“We need to move beyond studies to action.”Estes Park OrganizationOrganizationResourceManagementResource ManagementCollaboration Volunteer Recruiting & gManagementFund‐raisingEstes Park Observation:Estes Park has a lot of resources andassetsworkingforitand assets working for it.Recommendations: •Don’tjustrelyonyourgoodDon t just rely on your good looks! The tourism that you benefit from is a gift that you cannot control; focus on b ildingorentirebuilding your entire community.•The new economic reality is thatyoumustpartnertothat you must partner to conserve resources and stop duplication or you will fall behind. Estes Park Observation: The community is lacking clear direction and strategy to outline how you want gyyto move forward.Recommendations: •Identify a vision with clear priorities for the community. •Community issues impacting long‐term economic development should include affordable housing, child care, and infrastructure capacity.•Use visual mapping to identify how your physical assets are connected.Estes Park Estes ParkSites for Redevelopment Estes Park Observation: The community is lacking clear direction andstrategyand strategy…Recommendations: •Declare business a priority and liti ltdgarner political support and resources behind these efforts. •Develop one champion to drive the economic and community ydevelopment process and coordinate other entities.•Creative districts, historic preservationandtheColoradopreservation, and the Colorado Main Street Program would provide additional resources and guidelines to help shape your initiatives.Estes Park Observation: Most successful community initiatives in Estes Park seem to be in opposition to ppsomething.Recommendation:IdentifyunifyingconceptsRecommendation: Identify unifying concepts and positive initiatives that people can get behindbehind. Continue to facilitate regular meetings of businesses, business associations, non‐profit, and other service idithitthitiproviders in the community to enhance communication, joint planning, and partnership. Estes Park Observation: Most successful community initiativesinEstesParkseemtobeinoppositioninitiatives in Estes Park seem to be in opposition...Recommendations: •Community engagement processes can be driven with economic development, historic preservation, culture and arts, youth engagement, and nature and the environment.•Develop clear information and awareness campaigns around initiatives whether around urban renewal, performing arts, etc.Estes Park Observation: A large retiree population is a greatresourcedlbgreat resource.Recommendation: Utilize job descriptions from non‐profitssmallbusinessandprofits, small business, and the economic development initiative to paccess skills and volunteer hours and engage more community members in your processes.Estes Park Citi&PtiEstes ParkCommunications & Promotions Observation: You are what you find on the internetinternet.Recommendations: •DevelopclearmaterialsthatoutlinethebenefitsoflivingowningaDevelop clear materials that outline the benefits of living , owning a business, or buying property in Estes Park year round. •Focus on available dark fiber, proximity to DIA, Loveland, Denver, bfiittdti ittilitfhldnumber of visitors, outdoor activity options, quality of school and library district, etc.•Post map of all redevelopment sites and prospective uses online.•Outline the simple steps for opening a business or investing in property online.Estes Park AudienceWebsite Social MediaAdvertisingCommunications StrategygEveryoneWebsite for communities or projects to market. ƒLinked to website ƒCommunicate up-to-date information ƒidentity and brandingƒEngage the community in joint marketing campaignƒYouth involvedCommunityƒCommunity news and projectsƒHighlight successesƒInvite inputƒBill stuffers to promote community events and bi ƒCommunity resourcesƒNewsletter opt-inƒCommunity business listingsƒAsk for supportƒLink to similar projectsbusiness ƒCommunity member discount cardslistingsPartnersƒList and link all partnersƒCreate partner information downloadsConsistent sharing of up to date information on project and about partnersUtilize other advertising initiatives to promote your projectdownloadsppjEstes Park Observation: There appears to be several efforts at enhancing communication and building relationships around economic vitality.Recommendations: •Develop a stronger partnership of economic development stakeholders by outlining each role and responsibility in responding to developer interest.•Work with businesses and non‐profit groups to develop clear job descriptions (paid or not) to engage youth and unemployed spouseslookingtointegrateintotheworkforce.spouses looking to integrate into the workforce. •Begin to engage the Realtors and banking community to identify how they can contribute to furthering community prioritiespriorities.Estes Park Partnership for Economic Dl tDevelopmentEstes Park EconomicDevelopment FunctionAffordable HousingSeasonality Child CareBusiness AttractionIdentify potentialredevelopment sites and outline investmentWork to develop a location neutral relocation package for business.Focus on industry and employment options for younger demographicsinvestment opportunities.demographics.BusinessRetentionConsider a program to assist year round Work with local residents and businesses to create Work with underemployed to ybusinesses to accesslending programs for home purchase.shoulder season activities and shop local campaigns.pydevelop professional development for potential providers.Tourism Work to develop materials and events that will bring visitors in during winter and shoulderseasonsshoulder seasons.Estes Park Observation: Events are important to the community and to attract visitors, but individual organizations and resources are being stretched thin. The number of event organizers and pool of volunteers are not realized and duntapped.Recommendations:•Identify the community event objectives and strategically plan events to de yeco u yeeobjec esadsaegcaypaee sobest utilize volunteer resources and maximize economic impact to Estes Park.•Create an inventory or clearinghouse of volunteers. This will help to ygpbetter understand the skills represented  and needed for events.Estes Park EtKidYF iliPt hiRtilStTDtFdiiMiFdWhRIt?Strategic Event ObjectivesEventKidsYoung FamiliesPartnershipsRetail SupportTeenDowntownFundraisingMusicFoodWho Runs It? Estes Park Winter FestivalXX X XXXXXXWinter Trails DayXXXXEstesAreaLodgingAssocXXXXEstes Area Lodging Assoc.Rails in the RockiesXX25th Annual Estes Park Duck RaceXJazz Fest & Art WalkXX X X XWool MarketCoda Coffee Estes Park MarathonXX XScandinavian Midsummer FestivalXX XX XXJuly 4 CelebrationXX X XX XXEstes Park Observation: By aligning events with overall downtown goals, a year long calendar can improve economic slow periods, attract repeat visitors, fill lodging vacancies and bring the community together.RdiRecommendations:•Engage locals with live local music, discounts, or other activities (consider youth, seniors, and specialty groups)•Work with merchants, hotels, and event organizers to best communicate opportunities to capture winter tourists.•Consider working with YMCA to create events within Estes Park in the winter season (i.e. snowshoeing, cross‐country skiing)•Work with students and youth to plan community events that appeal to them (i.e. movies, concerts) that can also be open to the public.Estes Park Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov DecEstes Park Winter FestivalXStrategic Events CalendarFestivalWinter Trails Day XRails in the Rockies X25th Annual Estes Park Duck RaceXJazz Fest & Art WalkWool MarketXCoda Coffee Estes Park MarathonXScandinavian Midsummer FestivalXJuly4CelebrationXJuly 4 CelebrationXRooftop Rodeo XHeritage FestivalXLongs Peak Scottish Irish Highland FestivalXAutumnGold‐AAutumn Gold‐A Festival of Bands, Brat & BeerXElk FestXCatch the Glow Holiday d/ lb iXParade/CelebrationEstes Park Observation: There are many marketing efforts going on, however there is a need for the downtown merchants to cohesivelyworktogethertobetterutilizeresourcescohesively work together to better utilize resources.Recommendation:•The Rocky Card is a great initiative that many residents are using!•However, there is a need  to explore a larger shop local campaign•Plan a shoulder season event. Design the event so that it will encourage overnight visitors as well as day trippers from the front range. Estes Park Recruit, retain and expand popportunities for investment. Estes Park Observation: There seems to be a lack of vision for the community. Recommendations:  Solidify the vision for Estes Park.  •Update the 1996 Estes Valley ComprehensivePlanComprehensive Plan•Adopt a five year Capital Improvements Program (CIP)•Implementation PlanEstes Park Observation:Developing business friendly process could help support business and improve the economic conditions within the community.  Recommendations:  Review the regulatory processes and documents to remove barriers to infill & development.  Facilitate a community engagement process for development code revisions:Ciliiiidiih’i•Capitalize on opportunities to increase density in the town’s core, i.e., encourage a mix of housing types, densities and styles•Ensure a balanced mixture of land uses/zoning, i.e. commercial, industrialzoningemploymentzonedistrictsindustrial, zoning, employment zone districts•Ensure flexibility in the PUD review process•Work with the County to revise Estes Valley Development Code (EVDC)•Consideraruralsubdivisionreviewapprovalprocess(conserveopenConsider a rural subdivision review approval process (conserve open space, wildlife corridors)•Streamline review processesEstes Park Observation:There is opportunity to better understand the local and visitor customer base as well as your business. Recommendations:•Conduct point of sale survey through all businesses, the pyg,library, and all civic entities.•Utilize data to shape marketing & events and business recruitmentstrategiesrecruitment strategies.•Work with Realtor community to assess commercial lease rates for Estes Park to further engage developers and banks. •Monitor and be aware of commercial properties that are for sale in your community. •Track success! Estes Park Observation:There are benefits for businesses and people to choose Estes Park to do business, raise a family, recreate, work and retire. Recommendations:•Promote Estes Park as a great place to work, live, play and stay.gp,,pyy•Develop a model of the average retail business in Estes Park to assesshowaprivatedeveloperwouldidentifyprojectsassess how a private developer would identify projects.•Engage SBDC to help businesses prepare to succeed.Estes Park Observation: Training and education could significantly improve the business environment.Recommendations:•Continue the educational speakers and training offered by EALA, Library, SBDC, and EVPC.•Encourage all employees to participate in a familiarity tour.•Hold regular events for local “Third Thursdays” to engage local employees, businesses and residents and encourage a sense of communityaroundthecommercialdistrictcommunity around the commercial district. Estes Park Observation: The community would benefit from a greater awareness of business assets.Recommendations:•Track creative industries, where they are based, when new businesses form, etc.•Tap into retirees talents to provide training and volunteers for small businesstrainingandsupport.business training and support.•Cultivate a historic preservation ethic by highlighting the history and saving historic assets. •Reviewhomeoccupationlicensestoidentifyhomebasedbusiness•Review home occupation licenses to identify home based business needs and potential conversion of downtown storefronts to live/work spaces.Estes Park Observation: There are a number of vacant or under utilized propertiesthatcouldengagethebusinessdevelopmentclimate.properties that could engage the business development climate.Recommendations:•Considerhowlandusessupporteachotheregcommercial•Consider how land uses support each other e.g., commercial, retail, employment, service, cultural assets.•Identify uses that fit in with your community vision.•Pursue public private partnerships to access grants, funding and technical assistance.•InventoryunderutilizedpropertiesandconsiderbestusesthatareInventory underutilized properties and consider best uses that are consistent with your vision. •Identify catalyst sites.Estes Park Estes ParkSites for Redevelopment Catalyst SitesEstes Park Catalyst SitesEstes Park Templeton Gap Landfill Concept•CBF equity project/ CBF project lead•Privately Owned•El Paso County•El Paso County Enclave•44 Acre Footprint•44 Acre Footprint•Landfill served the community fromcommunity from 1957 until 1980•Now under CleanupJSil t iEstes ParkNow under Cleanup Order with the StateJesse SilversteinExecutive DirectorColorado Brownfields Foundation Site Criteria for Renewable Energy• Buildable Land• Resource Qualityy• Transmission InfrastructureP itti / Z i•Permitting / Zoning• Market for Energy• Land Cost– Highest & Best Use? • Limited LiabilityEstes Park DesignEnhancing the unique functional and visual quality of downtown by addressingalldesignelementsaddressing all design elements creates an appealing environmentEstes Park Observations:  The walkability is good in downtown Estes Park, but the sidewalk maintenance needs to be improvedRecommendation:  Improve maintenance sidewalksEstes Park Observation:  Downtown planters are bare and unattractiveRdtiIldltdbktltRecommendation:  Include evergreen plants and basket plants to lamp postsEstes Park Observation: Although there is significant off‐street parking in thedowntownthereisaparkingshortageduringthesummerthe downtown there is a parking shortage during the summer season and eventsEstes Park Recommendations: •ImproveshuttlesystemfromremoteparkingtodowntownImprove shuttle system from remote parking to downtown•Increase remote parking•Better street signage for shuttle routes and stops •Enhance the timing of shuttle routes•Encourage business owners and employees to use remote kidhlparking and shuttle system.•Meter parkingEstes Park Observation:  Missing links in the trail systemRecommendation:FillinthemixinglinksRecommendation:  Fill in the mixing linksEstes Park Funding MechanismsEstes Park Observation: Estes Park has limited space and significant assets in underutilized properties, need for incentives to redevelop properties instead of creating sprawl, and diversifying the shoulder season economy.Recommendations: Create a Community development corporations (CDCs) , non‐profit ihfhicorporations that focus their resources on:–Tackling development or redevelopment projects that are too difficult or costly for the private sector to undertake aloneyp–Catalyzing private sector investment in tough to develop areas–Providing economic development incentives to help disadvantaged businessesEstes Park Observation: Local government and non‐profit organizations are not working together effectively Recommendation:TheCDCwouldidentifyfundingsourcestogggytowards shared community goals. Recommendation:  The CDC would identify funding sources to create executive director position:•Visit Estes Park donates in‐kind director position via full time equivalent lemployee•Town of Estes Park contributes business license fees•BusinessescontributemembershipduesBusinesses contribute membership dues•Grant writing (e.g. state historical funds, USDA)•Inter‐governmental agreementsEstes Park Observation: The community needs to identify appropriatefundingmechanismsforproposedappropriate funding mechanisms for proposed economic development and community assets.Recommendation: The community campus concept –potentially including daycare/preschool facility, year pygy/py,yround recreation center, post secondary satellite, and relocated municipal services – will be  source of economicdevelopmentandismosteffectivelyfinancedeconomic development and is most effectively financed via alternative means such as grants and USDA loans.Estes Park Observation: the Town of has identified specific areasforredevelopment/developmentbestareas for redevelopment/development best suited for tax increment financing.Recommendation: Form URA with multiple dijddbli h ddiscrete project areas to address blighted, under‐utilized and developable projects.Estes Park What else is in your tool box?Estes Park Organizational Models for Downtown Urban Renewal A th it (URA) Community Development Corp. (CDC) Colorado Main Street Authority(URA) (CDC) Background/ Summary Established to eliminate blighted areas for development or redevelopment by purchasing, rehabilitating and selling land for development. Non-profit community organization with public/private orientation. Usually 501(C)(3) Volunteer driven model with paid staff usually housed in a non-profit. Can be housed in another organization or be a 501(C)(3), 501(C) (6), or 501 (c) (4) Focus Real Estate Development Oriented to advance real estate and Uses Four Point Approach: Organization Focus Real Estate Development, Rehab Financing, Infrastructure. Oriented to advance real estate and business development. Provides planning and project development services. Uses Four Point Approach: Organization, Promotion, Economic Restructuring, and Design. Pros/Cons Can generate sales and/or tax increment to finance future Facilitator and problem solver for otherwise challenging projects Serves as a champion and umbrella for everything that impacts the commercial increment to finance future development. Increment needs approval from county entities; can be controversial. otherwise challenging projects There is no financing built in. Requires staff and volunteer focus on contributions, grants, fees and earned income everything that impacts the commercial district; enhances and data collection and reporting for all stakeholder groups; Relies heavily on volunteers. There is no financing built in. Estes Park Stakeholder AnalysisStake holder Interest Support (Y/N)Import (15)Contribution Approach(Y/N)(1‐5)Local Gov’t(Core Team )Econ Dev, Planning, Y5Communications,Funding,         (Internal: Direct  or thru Dept Heads )Zoning, CoordinationFormal: Presentation to City CouncilChurchorNon‐AbilitytoY3InfoDistribution&Informal:FlyersandChurch or NonProfitAbility to pursue grantsY3Info Distribution& VolunteersInformal: Flyers and email InvitationsCommunity CllImage B ildiN 4 Meeting Space and Vl tFormal: Proposal dPttiCollegeBuildingVolunteers and PresentationSchool AdministrationLeadership ProgramN3Info Distribution, Meeting Space & Formal: Letter, Invitation, MeetingVolunteersEstes Park Action MatrixTime Task Measure of Initiator Partnerssuccess1‐3 MDeclare the commercialcoreaAdopt a mission statementforTown Board Businesses, Residentscommercial core a priority.statement for improving the commercial districtResidents, School, district. 3‐6 MForm Downtown committee to begin implementingMonthly reports to Visioning CommitteeonBusiness association or championVisioning Committeeimplementing priorities set by visioning committeeCommittee on progress, Work plans for implementationchampionimplementationEstes Park ThankyouThank youFor more information contactDowntown Colorado, Inc. (DCI), 303.282.0625 owntownColorado,Inc.(CI),303. 8 .06 5www.downtowncoloradoinc.orgEstes Park